Saratoga War Horse co-founder Bob Nevins earns prestigious Jefferson Award for community service

Saratoga War Horse co-founder Bob Nevins, who has received the prestigious Jefferson Award for community service, speaks to fellow co-founder Marilyn Lane on their farm in Wilton last year. Saratoga War Horse supports soldiers who are having trouble coping after coming home from duty overseas. (ERICA MILLER file photo/emiller@saratogian.com)

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- A Spa City man has been honored with the prestigious Jefferson Award for community service and will attend ceremonies in Washington, D.C.

Robert Nevins, a Vietnam War veteran, helped found Saratoga War Horse, a suicide prevention program for soldiers returning home from overseas.

Soldiers from throughout the country began taking classes in late 2011 at Willow Run Stables in Wilton. Each month, another six soldiers go through the three-day program, which helps them build trust and fight depression by establishing a connection with horses.

"I'm excited because the War Horse program is all about community involvement," Nevins said. "When veterans come here, they really feel the community's response. One of the things we hear from soldiers is that they didn't know there were people who really cared. What we convey is that people do care."

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The Jefferson Award is considered the Nobel Prize of community and public service. It was established by the American Institute for Public Service, which was created in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Sen. Robert Taft Jr. and Sam Beard. Since 1977, local media have partnered in promoting the award to recognize the importance of community service in the United States.

Nevins received the award during a ceremony last week at Century House in Latham. He will represent the Capital Region at national ceremonies June 18-19 in Washington, D.C.

Suicide continues to plague members of the U.S. military at an alarming rate.

Nevins co-founded the Saratoga War Horse program with prominent horsewoman Marilyn Lane of Saratoga Springs.

"We're still looking for a permanent home," he said. "This year we're also looking to expand the frequency of classes."

Last year, ESPN filmed a documentary about the program.

Nevins credits the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Adirondack Bank & Trust Co., Marriott Hotels and Merrill-Lynch for providing considerable support. Also, New York Racing Association has agreed to name a race after Saratoga War Horse on Travers Day this year, he said.

A soldier who participated in the War Horse program nominated Nevins for the Jefferson Award. Many soldiers and veterans have learned about the program through word of mouth.

"They're telling each other," Nevins said. "They tell us this is the only thing that's helped them."

Eventually, plans call for taking the program nationwide by training other instructors who could teach it at places such as military bases.

A number of Saratoga War Horse participants who asked to remain anonymous said the program has helped them immensely.

"When my 'connection' ended is when my life connection began again," one participant said.

"The experience was one of the best of my life," another soldier said.

Someone who went through War Horse just last month said, "I have been through talk therapy for a couple of years now and I feel that Saratoga War Horse did more for me than any VA (Veterans Affairs) doctor has. Thank you for changing my life."